27ft CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



three lobes crowded with polyps. The general colour of the lower part of the stem is 

 oreyish-white, but in the region of the polyps the colour is light violet, and the 

 polyps themselves are canary-yellow. The lower part of the stem has a stiff leathery 

 character and a granular appearance ; the upper part is entirely covered with large 

 spicules which are for the most part disposed longitudinally. 



The polyps occur in small almost contiguous groups or singly. Each is an 

 elongated cylinder, standing at right angles to the " Stutzbundel,'' measuring 

 1*2 millims. in length by 0*8 millim. in breadth. 



The spicules of the lower part of the stem consist of short thick spindles 

 (11 millims. to 1*4 millims. in length by 01 millim. to - 2 millim. in breadth), 

 sometimes bifurcate or trifurcate at one end, and also of triradiate and quadriradiate 

 forms. All exhibit numerous blunt warts. 



In the upper part the spicules are spindle-shaped, covered with numerous spines, 

 and tinged with violet. Some of them are forked at one end, and a few give off a 

 short branch about the middle of their length. They vary in length from 1*1 millims. 

 to 2 - 4 millims., and in breadth from - l millim. to 018 millim. Those of the 

 "Stutzbundel" measure T55 millims. to 1*8 millims. There is only a slight 

 projection beyond the polyp. 



The polyp spicules are very small, deeply tinged with yellow, measuring 01 millim. 

 by 0'08 millim. 



Eunephthya purpurea, n. sp. Plate I., fig. 3 ; Plate V., fig. 5. 



This species is represented by several specimens which present a striking appearance 

 owing to the contrast between the yellow polyps and the purple-red of the stem and 

 branches. The stem is large and flaccid, and gives off numerous small branches and 

 twigs. The superficial coenenchyma is rough, and has a granular appearance due to 

 the arrangement of the numerous small spicules. The twigs, however, have a 

 different appearance, for there the spicules are longer and are mainly disposed 

 transversely. Two good specimens measured in centimetres, 11 X 7 and 12 X 3. 



The spicules of the lower part of the stem are very short, irregularly branched rods 

 with prominent spines. They measure 01 millim. in length by - 08 millim. in width. 

 The spicules of the twigs and the tip of the stem are slender spindles, varying in 

 length from 0'23 millim. to 0"25 millim. and in breadth from - 02 millim. to 

 0-023 millim. 



The polyps are scattered over the stem and branches, occurring either singly or in 

 small groups. They are yellow in colour, and they contrast well with the red colour 

 of the twigs and branches. The length of the polyps is - 9 millim. to 1 millim. and 

 the width varies from 0"5 millim. to 0*6 millim. The polyp spicules are very small 

 yellow spindles with prominent warts and spines. Their measurements are 014 millim. 

 to 0"3 millim. in length and 0"015 millim. to - 03 millim. in breadth. Below the 

 anthocodial part of the polyp there is a collar formed of several rings of spicules, red 



